Beginner Windows Phone 8 Developer

Hi all,
I begin with windows phone 8 and i wonder to choose which programming language C# or C++, i program both App and Game.
Please help me for the best choice and if can, please give me the reason why choose this language.
Thank you

As an old school programmer I can't help but recommend C++. It is natively supported in many SDK's and eases porting. It is also a very developed language that is much more powerful. There is also an unlimited wealth of information for c++. It is however as said a little more difficult to learn.

I suggest that whatever you choose, the first thing you do is learn the SDK interface and then open up several sample applications and copy/paste the code to a project of your own that is in itself unique to learn stuff quick. Then after you get familiar with what you've been doing say to a point where you can create a simple app without copying all the time you should open up some books.

Cheers for the thread. I'm new to developing period! Never written an app. Closes thing to programming I've done is writing .bat files lmao. Want to get into developing apps, especially for the WP. I've already downloaded the SDK and have no idea where to start with that.

I'm in the same boat too. Dabbled in a tiny bit of programming in the past, found I was good at it but never followed up and learned more. Big regret of mine. Currently trying to wrap my head around OOP - and I think I'm going to stick with C# for now to avoid dealing with memory management etc. I definitely plan on transitioning to cpp in the future.

A good place to start would be to just go to dev.windowsphone.com and take a look at the samples. Download a few, load 'em up, build 'em, then pick something you wanna change and go ahead and change it. Then rebuild and see what happens! You need to be patient - you're not going to make the next Metrotube overnight - but you'll be surprised how quickly you'll make progress.

Well I just finished a 3 hour course from Tuts+ called "So You Want to be a Developer" it's based on JavaScript and just ran through the basics i.e. what are Functions, What is an Array, What are Loops, etc.. Did more research and there is a similar course from Code Academy.

Anyhoo, now after taking that course, and when looking at sample code, even though I know it wasn't developed in JavaScrips, the code, at least looks a lot less foreign. I can now identify certain data types and such used.

I've just scratched the tip of the iceberg, and have a very long way to go. Already penned a developer road map for myself. Instead of continuing with JavaScript, I'll just delve right into C# for ease than anything else. If I get really good, I'll venture into C++. But I still can't skimp out on things like UI design, Q&A, etc.. etc.. all of that I know will come together later.

Ok we'll see how this goes. Expect LOTS of questions from yours truly.

Contributor M, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm already planning my app but I need to make sure I can get the proper API pieces to use in the app. As everything he has done is custom coded, I'm curious how easy it would be for him to create a set of API files that I could then integrate into the app?

Hi, following on from the OP's question (also a beginner in wp7 & wp8 here), i would like to know if it is possible for an app to change wp8 setting? i have looked through all of the code samples and have not seen anything at all tha indicates it is possible. for example, can an app switch wifi on/off or change theme colour ?? good advice about c# vs cpp btw, totally agree with sticking to c# if you want to keep it simple. cp and cpp are much more complex.

Yes, I realize it's for WP7 and not WP8, but this doesn't really matter if you are just beginning. It will give you a great starting or jumping off point for learning C# and XAML specific to Windows Phone development.

Since you are beginning with windows phone I would recommend you to go with C#. I took a Jump Start course on phone app development from Microsoft Virtual Academy. The training module helped me leverage my C# skills to build cool apps for the Windows 8 platform. Hope you enjoy the course!

Thank you very very much for the info.. Seems ill have to pay for the account which I'll do. I have some very good ideas but I've just started learning programming, but my gf has a degree and has very vast knowledge. Together my ideas n creativity n her knowledge n common sense, you guys will see very good apps in the coming year.. ;-)

Cheers for the thread. I'm new to developing period! Never written an app. Closes thing to programming I've done is writing .bat files lmao. Want to get into developing apps, especially for the WP. I've already downloaded the SDK and have no idea where to start with that.